A common problem many of us serious bettors face is being banned by sportsbooks when betting to make a profit. It could be with a no-risk method like arbitrage betting or any method that shows we can consistently win. In this post, we will be looking at some proven tips that will help you to not get banned from sports betting. Let’s agree that sportsbooks are in the business to earn money, just like you. But they have more control and can ban you, so I have prepared these simple strategies to help reduce the chances of a ban. If you incorporate these tips into your regular betting routine, hopefully, it’ll lower the risk.
Sportsbooks Do Categorize Bettors
Generally, sportsbooks categorize bettors into specific groups based on betting patterns, like how often a bet is placed, at what times, and on what odds. There are 4 main groups.
The first group is casual bettors. Sportsbooks prefer this group since bettors here tend to lose money over time, often betting on simple things like moneyline, totals, or a few player props. A bettor in this group does not place advanced bets. This bettor just enjoys a bet while watching a game. As such, this group is the least likely to face a sportsbook ban since they are not seen as a threat.
The second group is where the sportsbooks keep an eye on an account. This usually happens with new users or those who may have done something that could be a problem for the sportsbooks. Here, you are not limited or banned yet, but the sportsbook is watching.
As for the third group, this is about being limited. I did write an article about avoiding limits as a sports bettor – make sure to read this article. Here, they have put a cap on how much you can bet on certain markets, or maybe all of them. I’ve been limited at many sportsbooks where they have set my limits really low, like only allowing me to make $50 bets or sometimes just $5 bets.
Finally, there’s a fourth category, which is when you are banned, and this is the group we’ll be talking about in this guide. This is when they send you an email telling you to remove all your money from their platform because they won’t take your bets anymore.
How to Not Get Banned from Sports Betting
If you have carefully gone through the groups I have talked about, then you’ll really understand every point we will make in this section. So, let’s get started.
1. Practice the Characteristics of a Casual Bettor
So, we have talked about the four categories, including casual, watched, restricted, and banned. Now, the first tip that will help you to avoid being banned in sports betting is to appear like a casual bettor. You want the sportsbook to put you in that first category, so they stop paying extra attention to you.
They won’t be suspicious, and you can go about your betting without any hassle. So, how do you do this? It’s simple. Place bets on popular 50/50 outcomes such as the moneyline or spread bets, which are common and attract a lot of action. These bets are usually set at odds like -110 or -115, which means they are pretty standard for spreads and totals, or even straight-up winner picks. Try to bet on the favorites and make yourself a regular, everyday-bettor, and not a professional. This is exactly the type of bettor sportsbooks prefer to have around.
If you really want to blend in as a regular bettor, for the first few weeks, stick to simple bets. Try to limit your bets to around $20 each to build a reputation with the sportsbook. After a couple of weeks, they may stop paying close attention to your bets. Then, move on to more profitable bets that have a positive expected value (plus EV) and start making money. Just remember, in the beginning, to keep things simple.
As part of this process, you have to avoid arbitrage betting to not get banned. Arbitrage betting means you bet on both sides of a game using different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit because of differing odds. Sportsbooks know how their odds compare to others and can spot when someone is using arbitrage betting based on the betting patterns and frequency. So, steer clear of arbitrage betting for now.
2. Stick to Sports That Many Bettors Bet on
I have talked about some of the safest sports to bet on, so read up this article. Now, you should look at the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, European soccer, UFC, and sports like that. But when you look at the Korean baseball league or Ukrainian table tennis, ask yourself, do everyday bettors really put money on these? Not really, it’s more the experts and the serious gamblers who do. Yes, you will end up looking like a serious gambler, but to the sportsbooks, you are just someone who knows too much.
They’ll think, “This person sees a good chance here, something’s priced wrong, and they’re going to jump on it.” Obviously, no one’s actually watching those games, but you are betting on them because you spot an opportunity, and sportsbooks aren’t okay with that. They’d rather you just gamble without too much thinking.
3. Stick to Casual Bet Sizes
When we talk about sizes, we are referring to how much you are putting down on bets. You should be targeting amounts such as $20 or $50. The idea is simply to keep things modest and look like a casual bettor through the exact amounts you are betting.
I found that it is better to avoid betting odd amounts like $28.50 because some strategy suggests it. Stick to round numbers that end in ‘5’ or ‘0’, like $25 or $50. These are the kinds of bets sportsbooks usually see from casual bettors, and you’ll blend in more easily and not get banned from sports betting.
Now, when you take part in promotions with a maximum bet limit, let’s say $50, don’t use up the full amount. If the promotion allows up to $50 or $100 on a certain bet, you should be betting $40 or $30 instead. Do not max out the bet because you can still benefit from the promotional offer without drawing too much attention.
Professional bettors may always use the maximum amount to get as much value as possible. However, not maxing out on these promotions can make you seem more like a casual bettor. This method isn’t foolproof, but it can keep your account from standing out as a sharp bettor.
4. Do Not Rush to Withdraw Your Winnings
You have to be careful when it comes to making withdrawals from your betting account. Everyone withdraws their winnings at some point, of course. However, if you join in too quickly, it signals the sportsbook to review your account. may just check things over, but it means your account gets extra attention. If you are concerned about not getting banned on your new accounts under different names, try to delay withdrawing your money. It can be for as long as you can afford to.
The sportsbook will really think you plan to bet with them again, and they appreciate repeated bettors. It also helps you grow a bankroll that is perfect if you want to move from casual betting to something more serious.
5. Keep Your Expectations in Check
Smaller offshore sportsbooks do have attractive bonuses and the chance to benefit from often incorrectly priced lines. However, you should still be prepared for them to cap your betting power quickly. This is something I’ve seen a lot, and if you know it now, it can help you keep your expectations in check.
These sportsbooks lure in bettors with those bonuses and enticing odds to get their money. Once they notice a bettor consistently taking advantage of these deals, they’ll restrict that bettor’s account. Like any sportsbook, they know when you are someone who knows your stuff and won’t risk their money by allowing you to play limitlessly. This means the savvy bettor can’t use those bonuses or favorable odds anymore. On the other hand, if you stay casual without exploiting these offers, they are happy to let you bet without a ban.
Conclusion
So, we have just talked about 5 different strategies that will help you not get banned from sports betting. One thing you need to observe about the pattern of this post is that everything still points to behaving like a casual bettor. It could be just for some time to create an account history with the sportsbook. As a successful bettor, a ban by sportsbooks is a common reality. While this isn’t the ideal experience, it is also a sign that you are predicting well. There are many sportsbooks out there. The really reputable ones won’t outright ban you. They might limit how much you can bet, but it’s usually not too severe. I understand that a ban can be disappointing, but it’s not the worst thing. Accept that bans happen. Now, follow these strategies to cut down on the possibility of the ban happening again.
